Brush device for napped or pile fabrics



April 30; 1963 M. F. RAW 3,087,223

BRUSH DEVICE FOR NAPPED OR PILE FABRICS Filed 001;. 30, 1961 INVENTOR. MMESHALL 17 24W Uited fates 3,087,223 Patented Apr. 30, 1963 3,087,223 BRUSH DEVICE FOR NAPPED 01R PILE FABRICS Marshall F. Raw, 204 13th St., North Benson, Minn. Filed Oct. 30, 1961, Ser. No. 148,435 4 Claims. (Cl. 26--27) This invention relates to brush implements and more particularly to brush implements for use in restoring the tangled and balled nap or pile of fabric materials to their original appearance.

An object of this invention is the provision of a novel brush implement, of simple and inexpensive construction, for use in very effectively untangling and lifting the nap and pile of fabric materials such as velvets, corduroys and the like to restore the materials to their original appearance.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved brush implement having a plurality of rows of bristles, the bristles of the respective outermost rows being bent to project outwardly laterally fro-m opposite sides thereof and serving to raise and untangle the nap or pile of fabric garments such as sweaters, dresses and the like and to remove balled threads from these fabrics to thereby greatly improve the appearance of such fabrics even after extensive wear.

An object of this invention is the provision of a novel and improved hand type brush implement having a plurality of longitudinally arranged rows of relatively stiff bristles, formed preferably of wire, including a pair of outer rows and a central row located therebetween, the bristles of the outer rows being outwardly bent and cooperating with the bristles of the central row for engaging, lifting, untangling, and removing balls from the nap or pile of fabrics thereby serving to most effectively restore life to pile linings in coat jackets and to restore any such garments to their original condition.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like character references refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic end elevational view illustrating the manner of use of the invention.

Referring now to the drawing, it will be seen that one embodiment of my novel brush implement, designated in its entirety by the reference numeral is thereshown. The brush implement 10 which is of the hand type includes an elongate brush body 11 which may be constructed of any suitable rigid material such as wood, plastic, metal or the like. The brush body 11 includes a head portion 12 and a handle portion 13, the latter being ofiset with respect to the head portion.

A plurality of bundles of bristles are affixed to the lower surface 14 of the head portion 12 and these bundles of bnistles depend therefrom. It is pointed out that the bristles are relatively stiff and are preferably formed of metallic material although these bristles may also be constructed of fiber or plastic materials. It will be noted that the bristles are arranged in longitudinally extending rows and include a pair of central rows 15 and a pair of outer rows 16. The bristles of the bundles comprising the central rows 15 are substantially straight while the bristles of the bundles of the outer rows 16 are bent outwardly with respect to the general longitudinal axis of the brush body 11. It will be seen that each of the bristles comprising the bundles of the outer rows includes a straight portion 17 which is substantially parallel to the bristles of the bundles of the central rows 15 and also includes a bent portion 18, this bent portion projecting outwardly beyond the confines of the brush body 11.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the manner in which my novel brush implement 10 is used is there illustrated. In use, the brush is grasped by the handle portion and is rotated about its longitudinal axis until the bristles of the outer rows 16 penetrate and engage the nap or the pile N of a fabric F while the bristles comprising at least one of the central rows 15 are also in engagement with the nap or pile of the fabric. The brush is then moved along the surface of the fabric to be brushed and the bent portions of the bristles comprising the outer row 16 which is moved over and over in brushed contact with the surface of the fabric F, will engage and lift the threads comprising the nap or pile of the garment and will untangle most of the tangles therein. The relatively straight bristles of the central row being in trailing relation with respect to the bristles of the outer row will further brush and raise the nap or pile thus. greatly improving the appearance of such material. Because of the penetrating and lifting effect of the bent portions 18 of the bristles comprising the outermost rows, the bailed or pilled threads formed in the nap or pile will be readily removed as well as lifting and untangling of the compactly matted nap or pile of the fabric.

One of the problems associated with cleaning knitted garments such as sweaters, dresses, covers, shawls and the like, especially if these garments are made from wool or wool and Orlon mixtures, Dacron and cotton mixtures, and other synthetic mixtures and other synthetic materials and mixtures, is a tendency of the nap or pile of these garments to readily form pills or balls. Attempts to remove the balls or pills by use of conventional brushes resulted in a very time consuming brushing operation which did not give the garment its original finish even though the garment is thoroughly brushed. However, the penetrating and lifting effect of the bent portions 18 of the bristles of the outer rows of my novel brush implement 10 serves to lift the tangled and pilled nap and pile in cooperating relation with the straight bristles of the central rows so that knitted garments such as sweaters, dresses and the like are restored to their original factory like appearance even after extensive wear of these garments.

Further, it has been found that this brush very effectively removes tangles and pilled nap or pile from fabrics such as velvets and corduroys and is very effective in removing dust and lint from felt fabrics.

It is pointed out that unless the underlying tangled and matted nap or pile is lifted and untangled, surface brushing of such material will not restore the fabric to its original appearance. It will also be noted that the brush can be used equally well by the left or right hand and that continued use of the brush causes slight distortion to the ends of the bristles so that the bundles of bristles are slightly flared thereby rendering the brush more effective through use.

It has been found that this novel brush is effective for removing tangled and bailed threads from napped or pile materials used in upholstered furniture and the like.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have provided a novel brush implement which very effectively removes thread balls from napped and pile material thus restoring the material to its original appearance.

It will also be noted that in the brushing action, the unique construction of the brush implement also lifts and renews the tangled pile or nap thereby greatly improving the appearance of the fabric material.

It will be seen that while the brush effectively removes the bailed threads of the napped or pile surfaces of fabrics 3 and while it simultaneously lifts and renews tangled nap or pile of such fabrics, the brush does not remove an excessive amount of pile, thereby causing little, if any destruction to the material of the garment.

Thus, it will be seen that there has been provided a novel brush implement which is not only of simple and inexpensive construction but which functions in a more eflicient manner than any heretofore known comparable implements.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts without departing from the general scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A hand type brush implement for use in restoring tangled and balled nap and pile of fabric materials to their original appearance, said brush implement comprising a brush body including a handle portion and a head portion, a plurality of relatively stiff bristles afiixed to and projecting from one surface of said head portion and being arranged in longitudinal extending rows including a pair of outer rows, and a center row located between said outer rows, the bristles of the center row being substantially straight, the bristles of the respective outer rows being straight throughout the major portions of their respective lengths and disposed in substantially parallel relation to the bristles of the center row, said bristles of the outer rows having their respective outer end portions bent to project laterally outwardly from the straight portions thereof and laterally outwardly of the general longitudinal axis of the brush body, the bristles of each of said outer rows cooperating with the bristles of the center row when the brush implement is brushed over the surface of napped or pile fabric material to lift and untangle the nap or pile and remove thread balls therefrom.

2. A hand type brush implement for use in restoring tangled and balled nap .and pile of fabric materials to their original appearance, said brush implement comprising an elongate brush body including a handle portion and a head portion, a plurality of bundles of relatively stiff bristles affixed to and projecting from one surface of said head portion, said bundles of bristles being arranged in longitudinally extending rows and including a pair of outer rows and at least one center row located between said outer rows, the bristles comprising the bundles of the center row. being substantially straight,

the bristles comprising the bundles of the respective outer rows being straight throughout the major portions of their respective lengths and disposed in substantially parallel relation to the bristles of the center row, said bristles comprising the bundles of the respective outer rows having their respective outer end portions bent to project laterally outwardly from the straight portions thereof and laterally outwardly of the general longitudinal axis of the brush body, the bristles of each of said outer rows cooperating with the bristles of the center row when the brush implement is passed over the surface of a napped or pile fabric to lift and untangle the nap or pile and to remove thread balls therefrom.

3. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said bristles are formed of wire material.

4. A hand type brush implement for use in restoring tangled and balled nap and pile of fabric materials to their original appearance, said brush implement comprising an elongate brush body including a handle portion and a head portion, a plurality of bundles of relatively stiff bristles affixed to and projecting from one surface of said head portion, said bundles of bristles being arranged in longitudinally extending rows including a pair of outer rows and a pair of center rows located between said outer rows, the bristles of said center rows being substantially straight, the bristles of the respective outer rows being straight throughout the major portions of their respective lengths and disposed in substantially parallel relation to the bristles of the center rows, said bristles comprising the bundles of said outer rows having their respective outer end portions bent to project laterally outwardly from the straight portions thereof and laterally outwardly of the longitudinal axis of said brush body, the bundles of bristles comprising each of the outer rows cooperating with the bundles of bristles in the adjacent center rows to lift and untangle the nap or pile and remove thread ball-s therefrom when the brush implement is brushed over the surface of a napped or pile fabric material.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 125,50'4 Hertzberg Feb. 25, 1941 D.163,707 Pifer June 19, 1951 1,452,108 Carter Apr. 17, 1923 2,567,080 Pifer Sept. 4, 1951 

1. A HAND TYPE BRUSH IMPLEMENT FOR USE IN RESTORING TANGLED AND BALLED NAP AND PILE OF FABRIC MATERIALS TO THEIR ORIGINAL APPEARANCE, SAID BRUSH IMPLEMENT COMPRISING A BRUSH BODY INCLUDING A HANDLE PORTION AND A HEAD PORTION, A PLURALITY OF RELATIVELY STIFF BRISTLES AFFIXED TO AND PROJECTING FROM ONE SURFACE OF SAID HEAD PORTION AND BEING ARRANGED IN LONGITUDINAL EXTENDING ROWS INCLUDING A PAIR OF OUTER ROWS, AND A CENTER ROW LOCATED BETWEEN SAID OUTER ROWS, THE BRISTLES OF THE CENTER ROW BEING SUBSTANTIALLY STRAIGHT, THE BRISTLES OF THE RESPECTIVE OUTER ROWS BEING STRAIGHT THROUGHOUT THE MAJOR PORTIONS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE LENGTHS AND DISPOSED IN SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL RELATION TO THE BRISTLES OF THE CENTER ROW, SAID BRISTLES OF THE OUTER ROWS HAVING THEIR RESPECTIVE OUTER END PORTIONS BENT TO PROJECT LATERALLY OUTWARDLY FROM THE STRAIGHT PORTIONS THEREOF AND LATERALLY OUTWARDLY OF THE GENERAL LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE BRUSH BODY, THE BRISTLES OF EACH OF SAID OUTER ROWS COOPERATING WITH THE BRISTLES OF THE CENTER ROW WHEN THE BRUSH IMPLEMENT IS BRUSHED OVER THE SURFACE OF NAPPED OR PILE FABRIC MATERIAL TO LIFT AND UNTANGLE THE NAP OR PILE AND REMOVE THREAD BALLS THEREFROM. 